Boston Bruins trim seven from roster

The Bruins, who open the regular season next Thursday, still have 27 players in training camp. They’ll need to delete another handful before the season begins.

By Mike Loftus

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Mike Loftus

Posted Sep. 28, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 28, 2011 at 2:38 AM

By Mike Loftus

Posted Sep. 28, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 28, 2011 at 2:38 AM

» Social News

With the regular-season opener only eight nights away, the Bruins still have decisions to make regarding their roster.

The Bruins assigned seven players to their American Hockey League affiliate in Providence Tuesday, leaving 27 still in training camp. They’ll be down to 22 or 23 by next Thursday night’s 2011-12 opener against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Percentage-wise, most of the position players re-assigned were young defense prospects, including first-year pro David Warsofsky of Marshfield.

In addition, fellow Boston University product Colby Cohen – a second-year pro, and Zach McKelvie were sent down, leaving eight blue-liners in camp. The B’s will probably keep seven, with Steven Kampfer (38 NHL games as a rookie last year) and Matt Bartkowksi (6) seen as fighting for the final spot.

There were few surprises among the forwards re-assigned, although some young prospects have survived longer than expected.

Still in the mix are Max Sauve, a second-year pro drafted in the second round in 2008, and 22-year-old Lane MacDermid (fourth round, 2009), who has produced offensive totals in two seasons at Providence (nine goals, 15 assists) but also averaged more than 155 penalty minutes.

Veteran NHLer Chris Clark, the former Washington Capitals captain in camp on a tryout, also remains in the running for a job.

Two forwards cut Tuesday – 2007 first-round choice Zach Hamill and journeyman Trent Whitfield – must clear waivers before reporting to Providence. They’ll be joined by Jamie Arniel, the 2008 fourth-round pick who has spent the last two seasons with the Baby B’s, and goalie Michael Hutchinson.

The B’s still have 16 forwards, but are likely to keep as few as 13. Anton Khudobin remains in camp as a third goalie behind incumbents Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask, but is expected to be among the final cuts.

The Bruins were to return to practice this morning after a day off. They host the Ottawa Senators in a preseason game Thursday night at TD Garden (7:05, NESN, WBZ-FM 98.5), then conclude their exhibition schedule against the New York Islanders on Saturday night at Bridgeport, Conn.